Scottish parliament increases security

Scotland's devolved parliament will increase security measures with immediate effect following Wednesday's attack on Britain's parliament at Westminster in London.

"While there is no intelligence to suggest there is a specific threat to Scotland, Edinburgh or Holyrood (the devolved parliament), we have increased security with immediate effect at the Scottish Parliament as a precaution," parliament's chief executive office said in a statement.

"We are aware of a developing situation at Westminster this afternoon and are monitoring matters very closely," it added.

A debate on authorising a new referendum on Scottish independence was suspended earlier after Wednesday's attack, in which a policeman was stabbed, an assailant shot and several people injured. Police say they are treating it as a terrorist incident.